Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/275

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No. 86]
Plea for Protective Duties
247

them Commissions, and they appear so fraudulent that it is a manifestation that he was made acquainted with their design of Pyracy. . . .

E. B. O'Callaghan, editor, Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York (Albany, 1854), IV, 306-310 passim.


86. A Plea for Protective Duties (1704)

ANONYMOUS

Such appeals as this below were frequent in colonial times. — Bibliography : Weeden, Economic and Social History of New England ; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 133.

CONSIDERATIONS HUMBLY OFFERED, WHY NAVAL STORES CANNOT BE BROUGHT IN GREAT QUANTITY'S FROM HER MAJESTY'S PLANTATIONS, UNLESS ASSISTANCE BE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
[19 May 1704.]

1st Planters, proprietors, or Trading people will not make it their business to provide such Goods, nor bring them in the usual way of Trade unless they have a prospect, they shall have sales for them at such rates, as may afford them profit, their cost & Charges considered ; if there be no such prospect then they will bring them only when they can be secure of Gaine by some particular contract with the Navy officers or other persons.

2nd This is verified by what has past in relation to Naval Stores from the plantations, Several have offer'd to bring them upon a Contract made, or Charter granted or other advantages, but few or none have been brought as other Comodities to be sold at a Comon Markett Thō it was foreseen above 50 Yeares Since ; that it would be dangerous to depend entirely upon the Northern Crownes, for Naval Stores, and was then taken into Consideration Now to be supplied from the Plantations, yet few have been brought, tho in those parts there is great plenty of Timber for building of Ships, and also to produce Pitch, Tarr & Rozin, and a Soil capable to afford hempe.

3ly Upon which it may be concluded that no Methods can be effectuall, for the bringing in, of great quantity's, but such as may give